Spike.



T. C. HAN-SON.

SPIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 17 ,191i.' i I Patented Ap THOMAS C. HANSON, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

SPIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

Application filed June 17, 1911. Serial No. 633,896.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it lmown that I, THOMAS C. HANSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spikes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a key for looking a spike in position after being driven in the tie.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of a spike with the key in place. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the key. Fig. 3 is a face view of the lower portion of the key. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the spike and key. Fig. 5 is a section on line a a Fig. 1.

The spike is formed with the usual shank 1, point 2 and overhanging head 3. The rear face of the shank is formed with a lengthwise extending groove 4, in this instance about two-thirds its length. A key is of rectangular form and comprises the main portion 5 provided with a head 6, an end portion 7, and an intermediate portion 8. The intermediate portion 8 is formed by the V notch 9 between it and the main portion, and the V notch 10 between it and the end portion.

In use, the spike is driven into the tie 11 in the usual manner until its head 3 rests in contact with the flange of the rail. The key is placed in the groove 4 of the spike so that the V notch 10 will face toward the inner wall of the spike and the V notch 9 will face outward. The end of the end section of the key 'will contact with the end of the groove 4 of the spike. By driving the key down, the material at the V notches will bend, thereby closing the notches which will force the point of union between the intermediate section 8 of the key, and the end section 7 outward into the material of the tie as shown atFig. l of the drawings. The key being thus bent will hold the spike from withdrawing.

I claim as my invention.

A spike having a longitudinal groove, the end of which is substantially square, and a key fitting the groove and provided with notches on opposite faces so that when driven into the groove will rest against the end of the groove and will be bent out laterally in V shape.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS C. HANSON.

Witnesses:

A. O. BEBEL, M. E. BAKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

